Laura McKenna (she/her/hers)
BFA Musical Theatre & BM Vocal Performance, Class of 2022

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Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!

As a double major and a minor, my schedule is a little different, but I’m going to describe my Monday schedule this past semester! Ballet from 9:25 to 11:10, Giselle Rehearsal from 11:15 to 12:00, Music History from 12:15 to 1:25, Chamber Choir from 1:40 to 2:50, Musical Theatre Scene Study from 3:40 to 5:25, a quick dinner, then rehearsal for The Drowsy Chaperone from 6:30 to 10:30!

What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

Musical Theatre Majors are encouraged to branch out from musical theatre! MT majors are frequently cast in plays, participate in the opera theatre class, sing in chamber choir, and dance in the dance concerts. I am so fortunate to have been cast in such diverse pieces, everything from a lead in a Shakespeare to a Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret to the a member of the corps de ballet in the dance concert! I also love how we are encouraged to pursue all of our interests. Many MT’s have double majors and/or a minor in many different programs, which makes us more diverse people!

What’s something you would change about your program? Why?

I am really fortunate that I take my dance classes with the dance majors, so I dance every day. However, if you are not a dance minor, there aren’t as many dance classes. I think we need more levels, and ballet/jazz should be taken at least 3 to 4 days a week, with electives in modern, tap, and hip hop. Right now ballet/modern is in the spring, and tap/jazz is in the fall, and I think it would make everyone better off to be dancing more!

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

Personally, I think all of the people in our program are pretty laid back. Everyone is extremely supportive of one another, and of course during the MainStage audition weekend there is a hint of competition, but a healthy amount. I would say also all of the people in our program are really self motivated. Everyone takes advantage of all of the opportunities the program offers, but also makes their own opportunities through self produced works, clubs, and outside performance opportunities.

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

I think that you don’t really know what college is like until you are in college. While the college audition world gives you a good idea of what being a BFA is going to be like, you don’t really know until you are there. I think the biggest surprise is how hard the demanding schedule is on your body. I have learned that what you put into your body really correlates with your amount of energy and also injury. In high school, you can eat and exercise whatever and whenever without much concern, but a BFA program is so demanding and tiring that you have to eat the right foods for you to keep up! You also quickly realize that sometimes the school’s meal plan does not really help with this, so supplementing with food that can be prepped in a dorm is a challenge in its own right.

What’s something that you think makes your program unique?

Being encouraged to pursue other interests, and our proximity to Tampa and Orlando. It also gives us headway into the world of Disney pretty early, as we do a masterclass with the head of Disney casting every single year. I also think all of our majors are people with lives and a variety of interests, which is not the norm. Many colleges have BFA students where theatre is their whole life and personality. FSC is not like that, and I think it makes us special and unique!

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

I think our audition and casting process is pretty standard. There are usually two large auditions a semester for the MainStage shows. Auditions the first day, and callbacks/dance call the second day. Freshman really do get cast, and 2 or more can usually be found in each MainStage show. I will say that being cast early on makes it more likely that you will get cast again. I was cast as a freshman, and I am so fortunate to have been in 7 MainStage shows. However, some of my fellow classmates who are rising seniors have only been in 1.

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?

Yes and yes! While I love my program, I absolutely adore my college, which has made it the best experience. Many of my friends are in clubs, and Greek Life. I am in a sorority, and I feel I have gained so much from meeting people of all interests and backgrounds. Clubs and greek life are also very understanding of rehearsals, as they are academic and come first. We just created a new club for new works as well called Theatre After Dark. Double majors and minors are common! I also have a job as a tour guide, and attend many school events and trips!

Can you travel abroad if desired?

Yes! Part of our tuition includes a Junior Journey where you get an all expense paid trip after 4 semesters which is led by a faculty member. Usually these trips are around 7 to 10 days, but you can go for longer with some added expenses. For example, many theatre students study at Harlaxton Manor in England for the month of May learning Shakespeare, and taking the train into London to see shows.

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

While we are really small, our faculty is also very small. I wish we had more faculty so I could just learn from more instructors. I think our professors are all great, but you will have the same professor for multiple classes, which is fine, but personally I would like to see more perspectives and teaching styles.

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

I think it is a really healthy dynamic! I am very close with my advisor, the head of the MT Program, one of my acting professors, and another MT adjunct. They are such great mentors in and out of the classroom, and their door is always open. I never feel afraid or intimidated to work in front of them, because they have created a space to create where I never feel like I am being judged, especially during voice lessons, and rehearsals.

Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you? 

My voice teacher this past semester, Brad has been in the business for almost 50 years as a music director on and off Broadway, and in regional theatre’s across the country. His knowledge of theatre always completely blows my mind, and he seems to know every single person in the business. He is one of the funniest, and quirkiest people I’ve ever met. The head of the program, Dr. Roll is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She is such an expert in her field of the female belt, and I feel like it is an honor to simply get to learn from her.

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

We have a post mortem after every MainStage show, where all of the faculty and students come together to point out what went well, and what could be improved on. Every student fills out an anonymous report that details the show from an audience perspective, and a different form is used if you were in the show for what can be improved. Professor evaluations at the end of the semester are also taken very seriously by the school, and affect the success of the teacher. Additionally, office hours are frequently used by all of our theatre faculty for students to sit down and talk about any concerns. Students give feedback in all of our acting classes, and voice labs on a weekly basis as peer feedback is so important!

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

Over the summer, our college president implemented a diversity, equity, and inclusion council which meets once a month, and comes up with steps to be implemented monthly in making our college a more diverse and equitable place. It is led by and FSC graduate who does this professionally for colleges all over the country. Additionally, our Black Student Union just celebrated its first anniversary, and there are multiple cultural groups on campus.

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

I was worried about not being good enough to do this professionally which is NOT true. These faculty know what they are doing, and the performer you will be in 4 years you will barely recognize from the amount of progress you have made. They chose you for a reason, I promise. If I watch a video from 3 years ago, and now, a completely different voice comes out!

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I wanted to go to a school were I did not have to ultra specialize right away. I still wanted to be able to sing classically, do musical theatre, take ballet to continue my pointe work, and get to perform not only for theatre, but music and dance as well. After auditioning at 24 schools I believe, I found most places would not allow me to double major or minor, and I wouldn’t be able to grow as a classical singer or with pointe work. I love musical theater more than anything, but I also wanted a place where it would not be my entire life, as that is important to me as a person. After observing classes at FSC, I was sitting by our water dome, and realized that this could be my home, which is so important in picking a school. Loving the college is just as important as the program, and I think that’s why I have had the time of my life thus far!